Kisuke Manaka

Kisuke Manaka Tanrenjo - The one-man crew from Sanjo (Est. 1872)

Kisuke Manaka is a 5th-generation blacksmith from Manaka Hamono, a workshop founded in 1872. Now based in Sanjo, Japan, Manaka-san operates as a true one-man workshop, handling every step of the process himself—from forging and forge-welding to sharpening.

He is especially known for making his own steel billets in-house, creating unique and often exotic Damascus patterns rarely seen in modern knife making. Blending over 150 years of tradition with complete independence, Kisuke Manaka’s knives are highly regarded for their craftsmanship, individuality, and performance.

Kisuke Manaka is a 5th-generation blacksmith from Manaka Hamono Tanrenjo, a historic workshop founded in 1872 in Saitama, Japan. With roots tracing back to traditional swordsmithing, the Manaka workshop has preserved classic forging techniques for over 150 years, forming the foundation of Manaka-san’s work today.

Unlike many makers, Kisuke Manaka operates as a true one-man workshop. He handles every step of the knife-making process himself—from forging and forge-welding to heat treatment and sharpening—ensuring complete control over quality and performance. His approach is deeply hands-on and independent, reflecting both traditional craftsmanship and personal innovation.

A defining feature of Manaka’s knives is his commitment to forging his own steel in-house. Rather than using pre-laminated materials, he forge-welds his own billets using the traditional warikomi method, even working with difficult materials such as stainless steel. This process allows him to create highly distinctive and often exotic Damascus patterns, each blade carrying a unique character that cannot be replicated by mass production.

Recently, Manaka-san relocated from Saitama to Sanjo—one of Japan’s most renowned knife-making regions—seeking to further refine his craft among other master artisans.

The result is a rare combination of heritage, individuality, and technical mastery. Kisuke Manaka knives are highly sought after for their fully handmade nature, unique aesthetics, and uncompromising craftsmanship.

“The new kid in Sanjo that has an old history behind. ”

Est. 1872 | 明治5年

Known for One-man operation, exotic forged welded knives.

Website manaka-hamono.com Instagram @manaka_hamono_tanrenjo

People

Current Head: Kisuke Manaka 間中貴輔

Craft

Known For: One-man operation, exotic forged welded knives.
Steel: ATS 34, Blue Super

Location

Address: 1167 Sudo Shinden, Sanjo, Niigata, Japan
Region: Sanjo, Japan
Coordinates: 37.648995147, 138.993292969

Brand

Logo

Native Name

間中刃物鍛錬所

Why Kisuke Manaka Matters

5th-generation maker from Manaka Hamono, Kisuke forges every part of the knife himself: from forge-welding the steel to final sharpening—ensuring complete control over quality. His work is hhly regarded for their fully hand-made construction and dedication to traditional techniques.

Does Kisuke Manaka Allow Unsolicited Visits?

No, being a one man operation, Manaka has neither no showroom nor open for any public visits.

Knives by Kisuke Manaka

Manaka ATS34 x Xinguo

This is what happens when two very different skill sets come together and the result is greater than the sum of its parts. Kisuke Manaka hand-welds and forge... Read more

This is what happens when two very different skill sets come together and the result is greater than the sum of its parts. Kisuke Manaka hand-welds and forges each blade using ATS-34 stainless core steel in a traditional hon-warikomi (true insert) construction — a method that speaks to the man's decades of experience in Sanjo. On the other end, Xinguo, an emerging bladesmith from China who's been quietly building a serious reputation, takes over with finishing work that is frankly on another level.If Xinguo's name rings a bell, it might be because he handled the sharpening on our last batch of Manaka ENN Damascus. His sharpening and polishing work is immaculate — on these blades, you won't find a single visible machining line. The edge comes out extremely straight, the choil and spine are polished and rounded to a degree that makes the knife genuinely comfortable to choke up on, and the deep tsuchime (hammered) texture across the blade face adds both visual character and food release. It's a high-polish, high-effort finish that you rarely see at any price point.In the hand, these are hefty, no-nonsense workhorses. They run long, tall, and carry real weight — the kind of knives that feel planted on the board and power through dense roots and heavy prep without flinching. But despite the robust build, the cutting performance is surprisingly refined. ATS-34 is a well-proven stainless steel that holds an edge reliably and sharpens up without drama, making it a practical choice for cooks who want a knife that works as hard as they do.The lineup covers pretty much the full range — gyuto, petty, chuka, santoku and more — so there's something here regardless of your preferred profile. These sit firmly in the high-budget category, but for a hand-forged Manaka with this level of finishing, the proposition is a compelling one. Collectors and enthusiasts who value the intersection of traditional Japanese forging and exceptional hand-finishing will find a lot to love here. Read less

Pros

Excellent performance
Great artistic
Highly collectable

Cons

Mirror polish can be hard to maintain
High budget

Warikomi - Stainless Clad Tsuchime

Frequently Asked Questions about Kisuke Manaka

Who is Kisuke Manaka?

Kisuke Manaka is a Japanese knife maker based in Sanjo, Japan , established in 1872. They are known for One-man operation, exotic forged welded knives. . Their signature steels include ATS 34, Blue Super. Available at Knives and Stones Australia.

What knives does Kisuke Manaka make?

Kisuke Manaka produces the following knife lines: Manaka ATS34 x Xinguo. We currently carry 11 products from Kisuke Manaka at Knives and Stones. They specialise in One-man operation, exotic forged welded knives. .

Where is Kisuke Manaka located?

Kisuke Manaka is located in Sanjo, Japan. Japanese knife-making regions each have distinct traditions. Sanjo in Niigata is famous for hand-forged, artisanal blades with a strong tradition of blacksmithing.

Where can I buy Kisuke Manaka knives in Australia?

Knives and Stones is an authorised Australian stockist of Kisuke Manaka. You can shop online at knivesandstones.com.au with free shipping on orders over $99, or visit our stores in St Peters (Sydney), Crows Nest (Sydney) and Braddon (Canberra) to handle the knives before buying.

Kisuke Manaka

People

Craft

Location

Brand

Why Kisuke Manaka Matters

Does Kisuke Manaka Allow Unsolicited Visits?

Knives by Kisuke Manaka

Manaka ATS34 x Xinguo

Shop Kisuke Manaka Knives

Visit Us In Person

St Peters

Crows Nest

Canberra

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